Leo arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where just by the heat he is already irritated.

Leonardo Vincent Sciarra stepped off the plane at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and immediately, a wave of heat engulfed him. It hit him like a wall, thick and suffocating, a stark contrast to the crisp air of Italy. The bustling terminal was alive with the sounds of chatter, the smell of street food wafting in from outside, and the chaotic rhythm of honking horns echoing in his ears.

“As if Italy wasn’t already hot,” he muttered under his breath, irritation creeping in as he swiped at the sweat gathering on his brow. “Let me just book a cab or whatever transport thingy they have here, damn it.”

Navigating through the crowd, he finally spotted a taxi stand and trudged over, dragging his suitcase behind him. As he loaded his luggage into the trunk, memories of the argument with his parents flickered in his mind, replaying like a bad movie.

“Leonardo! What are you doing with your life? We can't keep sending you to summer classes!” His father’s voice thundered, his frustration palpable.

“But Papa, why does it matter?” Leonardo had retorted, crossing his arms defiantly. “If I’m just going to inherit the company, what difference do grades make?”

His mother had chimed in, her voice softer yet filled with concern. “But Leonardo, my son, must you only rely on the hard work of your father—”

“Inherit? The company? THE COMPANY IS IN DECLINE, LEONARDO! IN A FEW YEARS, THE LAVISH AND CAREFREE LIFESTYLE THAT YOU HAVE WILL VANISH BEFORE YOUR EYES!” His father’s voice echoed in his mind, raising the tension like a storm brewing.

“That’s why, my son,” his mother continued, “we will bury this disgrace by sending you to study in the Philippines, to erase your mistakes and start doing what you were supposed to be doing years ago! You must make yourself presentable in front of the Fioramonte family and to Celestina Fioramonte, your fiancée and future wife—”

The driver’s voice jolted him back to the present. “You’ve arrived, sir,” he announced, pulling Leonardo from the haze of his thoughts. He blinked, the memory fading like mist. It had all been a dream—a painful echo of the turmoil that had led him here.

As he stepped out of the cab, he gazed up at the towering condo his parents had bought for him. Its sleek glass exterior reflected the afternoon sun, standing in stark contrast to the vibrant chaos of the city. Impressive, no doubt, he thought, but it feels cold and unwelcoming, much like this new life I’ve been thrust into.

Grabbing his luggage from the trunk, Leonardo felt a twinge of uncertainty. This was just the beginning of a long and unexpected journey—one that might challenge everything he thought he knew about himself.

As he walked toward the entrance, a flicker of curiosity sparked in his mind. Maybe this punishment wouldn’t be so bad after all.

he was enrolled to a University that was right around his condo the MSU(Manila State University)----

Morning of a week later as any normal student Leo got ready to start his first day at MSU!!

While walking around the campus Leo was again irritated because as a New Student you are destined to be looked at, stared at and many other things.

As Leonardo trailed behind the teacher’s aide across the vast campus, he couldn’t rid himself of the sensation of being an ill-fitting puzzle piece. The sun was positioned high in the sky, casting speckled shadows through the foliage of the trees lining the pathways. Students thronged around him, their laughter resonating off the school’s walls, serving as a constant reminder of the joy he felt he lacked.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Just as he rounded a corner, he noticed a vibrant group of students congregated beneath a large mango tree. They were laughing and exchanging stories, the carefree nature of the moment standing in stark contrast to Leonardo's own mood. Among them was a girl with bright, expressive eyes and a smile that illuminated her face. Her dark hair swayed in the soft breeze as she animatedly gestured, clearly deep into a humorous tale.

Curious, Leonardo reduced his pace, allowing himself to observe the scene unfold. The girl’s laughter was contagious, pulling in the others as they applauded and joined in her playful antics. He felt a peculiar tug at his heart—a spark of curiosity he hadn’t anticipated.

“Who is that girl?” he inquired of the teacher’s aide beside him, nodding toward the group.

The aide turned to follow his gaze and smiled kindly. “Ah, that’s Maria Guevarra. She’s one of our brightest students. Very intelligent and always brimming with energy. You’ll find she has a wonderful ability to include everyone.”

Leonardo raised an eyebrow, still fascinated by the girl’s vibrant presence. “She seems… full of life.”

“Full of life is an understatement,” the aide laughed. “She’s constantly organizing events, assisting her classmates, and spreading joy wherever she goes. I wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes your first friend here.”

As the aide continued to speak, Leonardo's focus shifted back to Maria. She was now coaxing a shy boy to join in the fun, her voice warm and welcoming. The boy hesitated but ultimately broke into a bashful smile, unable to resist her charm. For a fleeting moment, Leonardo felt a pang of longing—something he had refrained from acknowledging since his arrival.

“Yeah, I suppose,” he replied absentmindedly, his thoughts swirling. He was still getting accustomed to this new place, but there was something about her that ignited his desire to know more.

At that moment, Maria glanced up and caught his eye. Their gazes locked for an instant, and time appeared to stand still. A flicker of connection sparked between them before she turned back to her friends, bursting into laughter again. Leonardo experienced a curious blend of confusion and intrigue; perhaps this place held more than mere punishment after all.

As they continued their tour, Leonardo couldn’t shake the image of Maria from his thoughts. There was something about her, an unexplainable attraction that made him want to discover more about the girl beneath the mango tree.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, Leonardo felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The laughter and chatter of students preparing for the festival filled the air, but his mind was elsewhere, tangled in thoughts of his father's expectations and the looming conversation that awaited him.

He glanced over at Maria, who was practising the dance moves with an infectious enthusiasm, her laughter ringing out like a melody. It was moments like these that made him forget about the pressure back home, moments where he felt truly alive. Yet, in the back of his mind, the reality of his situation gnawed at him.

“Hey, Leo!” Maria called, breaking through his thoughts. “You okay? You seem a bit distracted.”

He forced a smile, but the worry lingered in his chest. “Yeah, just thinking about the performance. It’s going to be great, right?”

“Absolutely!” She beamed at him, her positivity brightening the dimming evening light. “You’ll do amazing. Just remember to have fun!”

“Right,” he replied, though a part of him felt the weight of uncertainty. Would he be able to enjoy it when he knew he had to confront his father soon?

As the rehearsal wrapped up, Maria reached out and squeezed his arm. “You’re going to be fine. Just be yourself. I’ll be right there with you.”

For a brief moment, the warmth of her touch chased away the shadows of doubt creeping in. He nodded, grateful for her encouragement, but as he turned to leave, his phone buzzed again—a reminder of the call he had been dreading.

Leonardo took a deep breath, the weight of his family’s expectations pressing down on him once more. As he walked away, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this newfound happiness was fragile, hanging by a thread.

He looked back at Maria, who was laughing with her friends, her joy so palpable that it almost hurt. He wanted to be a part of that world, to escape the confines of his responsibilities. But deep down, he knew that shadows from his past were not easily cast aside.

As he stepped into the gathering dusk, a sense of determination began to stir within him. He would have to face the reality of his situation soon enough, but for now, he would cling to this fleeting moment of happiness, however uncertain it may be.